Endocrine Abstracts

Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is characterized by orbital tissue inflammation, expansion, remodelling and fibrosis. Although the initiating trigger of GO is still indistinct, excessive orbital fibroblast activity is at the heart of its pathogenesis. Orbital fibroblasts are activated by cellular interactions with immune cells and the soluble factors they secrete as well as autoantibodies (e.g. TSH-receptor autoantibodies). Activated orbital fibroblasts produce inflammatory medi...